Packing for a Motorcycle Trip - Tips and Tricks from the last 20 years.

If you are new to motorcycle touring or just wanting to see how someone else packs for a trip there may be something useful for you here. I've been touring Europe for around 20 years and have refined what I do and more importantly don't take.

The motorcycle touring checklist I use is here:

Get the comments and questions coming as this is an entirely subjective subject. I should say that this is not 'survival' packing for being away from civilisation in the middle of Uzbekistan. This is for people touring abroad or in their home country for 1-2 weeks. What I don't say in the video is that our normal touring style is a couple of nights camping then a night in a hotel for a proper shower, wash the pants and recharge in a proper bed. Camping is great, but so is the occasional fluffy towel and thick mattress! Two nights on then one night off seems to be the perfect cycle for me.

What I also don't say on the video is that I try and pack so that nothing is strapped on to the bike, it is all in the panniers. That way when we park up we can leave the bikes with the panniers locked and hopefully coming back to still having all of our kit....

[andybcole]

I tell you what, this automatic countdown stuff on a 'premiere' is a bit annoying - next time I'll just upload and be done with!

[AlexEdwards]

Not camped yet on the bike, but taken some tips and made a short list of some of the things you have, very organised. Thanks

[richardcoxon]

Cheers for the packing list.. did my first euro tour in 1985 but still forget stuff!

[KidCurry]

Can't beat a good list, cheers 👍👍

[jackjones]

Great list, will update my own with some of your ideas. I love taking a foldable fabric table, doesn't take up much room but brings some comfort and sophistication to the camp. Oh and a pack of super noodles for emergency rations!

[matttownsend]

Really good tips Andy!
I've downloaded your list.... Thank you.

[Gazza]

Thanks Andy, great insight and for a new camper @ 51 this will be invaluable👌

[PondusdeCopenhague]

Great tips and recommendations, thanks 😊

[mrcintheuk]

I had my mid-life crisis which I thoroughly enjoyed for quite a few years. A few years ago I had my old-age crisis when I decided to try camping with my motorbike. My old-age crisis only lasted one weekend! 😂

[jeanjacques]

Please may we see Dave’s camping list of necessities?

[AnotherHipster]

Looking forward to this, i've refined all my camping gear in lockdown but always keen to see if there is something i'm missing/should change

[matttownsend]

I saw Dave in a garage in Water Orton once & told him to stand up for himself 🤣🤣🤣

[kerryadams]

great to have you back Andy, sure miss the you & Dave episodes .does he still ride or is he just on the latest camper van these days . best regards NZ.

[thehikerbiker]

Great vid Andy. Like a lot of your other comments I’m planning on giving the camping on the bike thing a go this year so any advice and kit ideas are helpful.
Caravaned for years, but not been in a tent
Been having a go at the vid making so will see how it comes and call it the “How NOT to camp on a bike” vid 🙄

[kyndrydspyryt]

I always do a list, it's a sensible idea really, although I do try and take as little as possible, as long as I have sleep gear, lantern, stove, tools, bike lock, e.u crap like hi'viz etc, twat nav, spare keys, cash and clothes.
I usually take one pair of trousers and a couple of shirts and shoes, i find if you roll your clothes they take up less space, also if you face your shoes inwards towards eachother like they would be in a shoe box then put a strap around them and compress them together a bit that helps too

[geoffsmith]

Thanks for sharing, have you ever thought about soft Panniers? The gsa takes the massive aluminium ones and the bulk I am not a fan of I think it looks awful bumot do a waterproof roll bag attached to a Aluminum back for ease of mount and dismount, I am so tempted, just wondered if you had Co soldered them at all with your extensive knowledge, thanks for the channel and the videos

[flyman]

Hi Andy, what's the make of the small gadget bags you have please?

[noahnoahnoahnoah]

And how would you do it with the R nine T!?

[mayhempilot]

Dear Andy & Dave,
I value your council so much that I have an important question. What kind of girl should I take camping?

[jeffarnie]

The video of you and Dave showing the tool pack popped up straight after this video. I was surprised at how many torx, hex and socket pieces you carry. For me, it will probably more like what fits my bike only and some basic tools . Other than that my line of thinking is similar to Dave's in that other than a puncture plug kit, chances are that even if I had a breakdown, I wouldn't be knowledgeable enough to fix it so why carry everything.